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87-year-old’s Ruby Tuesday review goes viral

Ruby Tuesday

You can’t put a price tag on millions of folks reading a positive story about your business.
Maryville-based restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday recently was the beneficiary of just such a publicity bonanza a review by a review by 87-year-old restaurant critic Marilyn Hagerty went viral
Hagerty, a columnist for the Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald liked her local Ruby Tuesday, in particular the salad bar and cloth-like napkins.
Bloggers, websites and other digital outlets went crazy. The viral explosion landed Hagerty an interview on NBC’s Today Show where she told Lester Holt she just didn’t get why her reviews went viral.
This wasn’t Hagerty’s first brush with viral fame. A couple of years ago her review of the local Olive Garden sparked a similar viral outburst.
Given its recent financial troubles, Ruby Tuesday should be thankful for the Hagerty generated publicity.
In its most recent financial report, Ruby Tuesday reported a quarterly net loss $34.4 million, or 57 cents per share, and said it would close 30 underperforming locations.
Olive Garden reportedly got a much-needed boost from the Hagerty review and subsequent viral publicity. Not everyone sees the same thing happening for Ruby Tuesday.
A Motley Fool writer said any boost will be short-lived.
“However, it’s not likely that this brave and crafty senior citizen will have any long-term impact on Ruby Tuesday.”
That’s too bad. Ruby Tuesday could use all the help it can get.
Click here for Hagerty’s Ruby Tuesday review
Click here for the Motley Fool analysis.
Click here for Hagerty’s Today Show interview

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Rant$ and Rave$

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Rant$ and Rave$ will comment on the good, bad and sometimes bizarre business news in East Tennessee and around the country. Rant$ and Raves is written by News Sentinel business reporter Roger Harris, who can be reached via email or (865) 342-6342.
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